“Yeah, that’s always a good thing.” Cullen said that out loud, winking to show that he had heard them and that he was trying not to let them overhear any more of their conversation.
“Right?” Cosmo raised one shoulder in a diffident shrug. “I know she loves us, but she’s always trying to run things for us.”
Corbin peeked out the window, and his lips quirked in a little grin. “She is really mad out there, isn’t she?”
A thud sounded, and their father landed next to their mother, his big dragon body shrinking down into a more manageable human form. He could see the conversation his parents were having, but he tuned out from their mental vibes so that he didn’t have to listen in.
“Dad looks agitated,” Cosmo murmured.
“That’s because Mom’s hysterical.” Cullen crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. Little flowers danced around his head and torso in the air, starting out purple and turning black, withering, and falling to the floor.
Evander chuckled warmly. “Thank you to all of you for coming to my mate’s rescue. And that was quite an evocative image, Cullen.”
Cullen waved a hand in the air. “I thought it was one of my best. Looks like you guys have it under control there. Since it’s gonna be a while until Mom can come back in the house, I’m gonna head off and see my mate and make sure he’s got the whole kid thing under control.” Cullen scurried out, giving Cosmo a look.
Cosmo nodded, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, I have a thing I need to go do. I should go do that thing. You guys, you don’t need us. You’re doing great.” He left too.
Evander stepped right up into his personal space. “Did I do the wrong thing? Removing your mother? She struck you.”
“No, you did exactly the right thing. She needs to learn that that kind of behavior is not acceptable, at least not in my house.” The ache in his heart actually hurt worse than the one in his cheek. Mom had delicate hands, but the fact that she would do that… it really hurt.
Evander reached up to touch his cheek, stroking the little spot where his mom had left a stinging slap. “I’m sorry, my love. Family can be difficult. I’m not sure mine would be any better right now, especially as long as I’ve been gone. But to be fair, they did send me out to perform this task, and they knew I might not return.”
“Ouch. That’s as bad as my mom telling me to fae up and not hook up with you.”
Evander inclined his head. “It’s difficult when your family sacrifices you on the altar of clan politics. But I love you too. I have no intention of going anywhere.”
He reached up to hold on to Corbin’s wrist, keeping that hand against his skin. “I appreciate it,” he said. “I just wish things were easier. I would love to take you out into the fae world and fly with you.”
Cullen’s voice came to him then.Orion says if nothing else, you can go to the Glade. He is confident that Evander will not harm anyone.
“Your brother and his mate honor me.” Evander kissed his mouth. “I would love to see you fly.”
Orion appeared in front of them. “Then that’s what you’ll do. But you have to come to my part of the house.”
Corbin blinked. “Hey, Orion.”
The pale unicorn’s cheeks turned pink and he grinned. “Sorry to just pop in. Did you want to go now?”
Corbin looked at Evander, who looked back at him, and they both smiled at each other. “Do you want to get out of this house for a little bit? Go do something outside?”
Evander took a deep, almost shaky breath. “I do love to be in the forest, lethean.”
Yeah, this was going to become a thing. They were going to have to fix this nonsense with Mom and Evander’s family and all this bullshit so they could just go to the Land of Summer.
But first? The Glade. “Thanks, Orion. We’d love to. Let’s go.”
Chapter
Six
Evander was amazed at how Orion had the tools and the ability to open up a whole dimension.
The Glade reminded him of home, but there was a quality to the light and the colors of the land and sky that dazzled his eyes.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Corbin asked.
“A little.”
